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felony At common law, every species of crime, a conviction for which occasioned the forfeiture of the lands or goods of the offender, and the penalty for which was death (except petty larceny and mayhem). Forfeiture was abolished, however, by the Forfeiture Act 1870. Many offences were made felonies by statute. All distinctions between felony and misdemeanour have been abolished and all indictable offences are governed by the rules relating to misdemeanours. |